Matthew Morrison has been tasked with a tough to do list in the back nine episodes of “Glee” — Will Schuester not only needs to have a complex emotional journey in light of his impending divorce, but he needs to motivate New Directions, fend of advances from Sue Sylvester, sing, dance and never let a single strand of his (overly?) sculpted hair look out of place.
And considering Matthew does a tremendous job with this difficult balancing act, it’s no surprise the man is ready for a long summer vacation. His R&R plans were just one of the topics we discussed last week at Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation Gala, where I also discovered what Matthew considers Will’s biggest season one mistake.
PopWrap: Awards-wise, “Glee” has had an incredible first season. What do you make of all the acclaim?
Matthew Morrison: It’s pretty overwhelming. First, for a show just to get on TV and have a good run is amazing – but to become this crazy cultural phenomenon is unreal. And now getting the Peabody is so prestigious. We’ve kind of cleaned up with awards this year, but it’s also a bad thing in a way because, where do you go from here? Ryan’s [Murphy] like there’s so much pressure. How do we top what we’re doing? It’s amazing, but we hope it doesn’t fizzle out too fast.
PW: Will hasn’t come off so squeaky clean in the second half of the season, why do you think that is?
Matthew: Will is on a constant search for who he is. He’s just following the process of finding out who he is after years of marriage. What it means to be this newly single person. And he makes some bad choices – but I love that. he’s a man with many faults
PW: Would you consider hooking up with Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby one of those bad choices?
Matthew: Uh, yeah. Absolutely. Big time.
PW: I have a feeling that Shelby and Jesse St. James are gonna screw over New Directions pretty badly. Thoughts?
Matthew: It’s f***ed up! Sorry, sometimes Will Schuester will come out of me but yeah, I’d agree. I don’t like where it’s heading.
PW: This week’s episode is called “Laryngitis,” what can you tell us about it?
Matthew: Well, because of the title, it’s clear that someone loses their voice.
PW: Rachel.
Matthew: Right. And I can tease that the moment she loses her voice – and the song that she’s singing, “The Climb” was one of the most fun days on set. We were all losing it. It literally took everything we had not to break because Lea [Michele] was so good in that scene.
PW: The kids are headed out on tour this summer, any chance Mr. Schue will pop up?
Matthew: [immediately shakes his head] Mr. Schue needs a break. The kids are in summer school.
PW: Looking ahead, what would you like to see for Will?
Matthew: Right now, for him, it should be about the kids and I really want to see them continue to succeed. There are a lot of hurdles ahead in terms of getting to regional because everyone’s trying to bring us down,. But I hope the show ends up with Will being encouraged and encouraging the kids.
PW: And musically, anything you want for season two?
Matthew: Love to sing Prince. Anything by Prince would be awesome.
PW: Lastly, I have to ask — every week Sue Sylvester rags on Will’s hair or face. As the guy who owns that hair and face do you ever have a minute of, “hey now!”
Matthew: It’s funny, my hair is now the first thing people notice about me. So when I wear a hat, no one knows who I am. It’s funny that “Glee” has made that the staple of my character. But that’s the best thing about the show – the writers go after each of us. My chin, Jane Lynch’s hair, Lea’s nose, Corey Monteith’s inability to dance. No one’s left unscathed!
“Glee” airs Tuesdays at 9 pm on Fox
Photo: Fox